Buying a house in Midlothian, VA sounds simple—sign papers, get keys, move in. Reality? It’s a 30-45 day marathon of inspections, loans, and paperwork that can trip you up if you’re not ready.
Most closings here follow the same basic timeline, but local quirks like Chesterfield County’s recording rules and lender practices can speed things up or slow them down. Here’s what happens, step by step, so you don’t sweat the small stuff.
Days 1-3: Offer accepted, contract signed
You make an offer on that cute ranch on Charter Colony Parkway. Seller counters. You agree on the price, the closing date (usually 30-45 days out), and contingencies such as inspection and financing.
Your realtor drafts the purchase agreement. Both sides sign. Earnest money check (1-3% of the price) is placed in escrow. Game on.
In Midlothian, agents move quick—local market stays steady, so deals rarely drag here.
Days 4-10: Inspection and appraisal
Buyer hires inspector ($400-600). They check the roof, HVAC, foundation, and plumbing. Midlothian homes often flag older crawl spaces or HVAC units not ready for Virginia humidity.
Seller fixes what you negotiate (new water heater? Sure). Or you walk if it’s a money pit.
Lender orders appraisal ($500ish). Appraiser confirms the house is worth the loan amount. Midlothian values hold strong—neighborhoods like Brandermill boost numbers.
Days 7-14: Loan application locked in
Submit a full mortgage app with pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. Lender pulls credit, orders title search.
Title company (key player in VA) digs 40+ years of records for liens, easements, and ownership issues. Clean title? Green light.
You get a Loan Estimate within 3 days that shows rates, fees, and total costs. Review it closely; questions now save headaches later.
Days 15-25: Underwriting and repairs
Lender’s underwriters verify everything. “Send more docs” emails fly—divorce papers, rental history, whatever.
Repairs from the inspection get done. A final walk-through 24-48 hours before closing confirms that the seller didn’t trash the place.
Midlothian pros tip: Budget extra time if using FHA/VA loans—stricter rules can slow things down.
Days 25-40: Clear to close
Underwriting approves. Lender issues “clear to close.” Title company preps deed, closing disclosure.
You get the Closing Disclosure 3 business days before signing—either it matches the Loan Estimate or explains the differences. No surprises allowed by law.
HOA docs (big in Brandermill, Salisbury) get reviewed. Transfer fees paid.
Closing day: Sign, pay, keys
Typically, at the title company office in Midlothian or Richmond. Hour-long meeting.
Buyer signs 50+ pages: note, deed of trust, disclosures. Seller signs deed.
Wire transfer funds (down payment + closing costs, 2-5% of price). Seller gets a check minus payoffs.
Title records deed at Chesterfield Circuit Court. Keys are handed over the same day or the next.
Post-closing: Title policy issued, old loan paid off. You own it.
Common delays and fixes
Appraisal low? Renegotiate or bigger down payment. Title lien? Seller clears it.
Buyer job change? Lender restarts. Plan buffer days.
Pro tip: Choose a title company early—they juggle lender, realtor, and you.
Make your Midlothian closing smooth with Atlantic Coast Settlement Services
Tired of “hurry up and wait”? Atlantic Coast Settlement Services knows Midlothian inside out—title searches, closings, escrow. They handle the paperwork grind, so you focus on paint colors. Local team, fast turnaround, no drama. Get a quote or ask timeline questions today.
Atlantic Coast Settlement Services – Contact Information
Address: 2405 Dovercourt Drive, Midlothian, VA 23113
Phone: (804) 541-6677
Website: acsettlement.com
Source: acsettlement.com
Header Image Source: Photo by Maria Ziegler on Unsplash
